Volume 32, Number 2 Summer 2012 Newsletter of The Gopher Tortoise Council In This Issue: Message from a Co-Chair Feature Article: Geographically Isolated Wetlands- a critical component of longleaf pine forests 34th Annual Gopher Tortoise Council Meeting Announcements Student Spotlight: Jeff Goessling-Auburn Message From a Co-Chair Ron Concoby As you are aware, the gopher tortoise was uplisted to a State Threatened species in Florida a few years ago. During the past eleven months, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has been charged with the task of reviewing and updating the Gopher Tortoise Management Plan (GTMP). It has been a long process that began in September 2011 with the aid of the Gopher Tortoise Technical Assistance Group (GTTAG), special ad hoc groups and numerous experts from throughout the gopher tortoise s range willing to provide many hours of detailed comment regarding needed changes and additions. The revised GTMP now looks much different than its original version. Included in the revised plan are refined conservation goals and objectives, additional management and relocation guidance for military installations, agricultural lands and public lands, and increased attention to incentive programs, with a renewed focus on future research including long-term population dynamics, minimum patch size needed to maintain functioning populations and disease transmission, among other topics. I am most excited about the addition of an entire section on Commensal Species (Chapter 5). The new Chapter includes detailed descriptions on biology, regulation, and conservation measures for the Florida Mouse, Florida Pine Snake, Gopher Frog and the Eastern Indigo Snake with a commitment to expand research on these species to determine appropriateness and feasibility of relocation. Also included is guidance for non-listed priority commensal species including the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake and invertebrate commensal species. The revised GTMP also includes an interim policy for the relocation of Priority Commensal Species. On behalf of all tortoise conservationists and the many commensal species that occupy burrows who cannot speak for themselves, a special thank you goes out to FWC staff and all those who volunteered countless hours of dedication and hard work to include commensal species in the revised version of the GTMP. FWC staff will be presenting their 5-year review at the Commission Meeting on Monday, September 5 th. For details please go to http://myfwc.com/. As I mentioned in my last Message from a Co-Chair, one of the great achievements of the GTC over the years has been to fund (through grant money) those who conduct new scientific research in the area of gopher tortoise and commensal species conservation. Please join me at the Business Meeting Thursday, October 4, as we explore ways to raise the funds necessary to support these valuable projects, despite future fiscal challenges. I look forward to seeing you all in October for the 34 th Annual Meeting of the Gopher Tortoise Council in Bainbridge, GA. Co-Chair Jen (Linehan) Howze has spent a great deal of time and energy preparing for this year s meeting. Excitement is building at the opportunity to hear Whit Gibbons, our keynote speaker, and a host of other great speakers addressing conservation and research of upland snakes, commensal species and of course, gopher tortoises. Lastly, I want to thank you all for the incredible opportunity to serve as the Co-Chair during the last two years. As my two year term comes to an end, I would like to say that it has been a great honor and privilege to serve the Council!
Page 2 FEATURE ARTICLE Fig. 1 Forested isolated wetland (photo by Aubrey Heupel) Fig.2 Savanna isolated wetland (photo by Lora Smith) Fig.3 Dwarf Siren (photo by Gabe Miller) Fig.4 Larval Striped Newt (photo by Gabe Miller) Geographically Isolated Wetlands- a critical component of longleaf pine forests Lora Smith Biodiversity of the longleaf pine ecosystem rivals that of tropical systems due Biodiversity of the longleaf pine ecosystem rivals that of tropical systems due in large part to the high species richness of plants and animals that occur in isolated wetlands embedded within the pine forests (Figs. 1& 2). Isolated wetlands harbor a disproportionate number of species relative to their size. For example, at Ichauway, the research site of the Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center in southwestern Georgia, nearly 40% of the amphibians associated with longleaf forests breed exclusively in these wetlands. Isolated wetlands are unique among wetlands in that they lack a direct hydrologic connection to streams and rivers; thus, they are often referred to as geographically isolated wetlands. Instead they receive water from rainfall and often dry completely in late spring and summer. Because they dry down regularly, isolated wetlands generally do not support fish, which can be predators of amphibians. Many of the amphibians that breed in these wetlands lack defenses against predatory fish. Moreover, most amphibian species that use isolated wetlands are semi-aquatic; adults migrate to wetlands to breed, but spend much of the year in terrestrial environments, often seeking shelter below ground. Fully aquatic species, like the dwarf siren (Fig. 3) aestivate below ground within the wetlands during dry downs. Most of the original longleaf pine ecosystem, including the embedded isolated wetlands, has been converted to other land uses. Thus, many of the amphibians dependent on these two habitats to complete their life cycle are declining. When I was hired as a herpetologist at the Jones Center in late 2001, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to study the amphibians on the approximately 30,000- acre former quail hunting plantation. Ichauway has more than 13,000 acres of longleaf pine forest and nearly 100 geographically isolated wetlands. The longleaf pine forests at Ichauway are approximately 75 years old, with undisturbed native ground cover. Many of the wetlands on the property also are minimally disturbed. John Jensen, John Palis, Linda LaClaire, and Steve Johnson had done initial surveys at wetlands at the Center and discovered breeding wetlands of striped newt (Fig. 4), flatwoods salamander, and Florida gopher frog (Fig. 5). The wetlands identified by these biologists are among the few records for striped newt and flatwoods salamander in Georgia. To date, we have documented 28 amphibian species (10 salamanders and 18 frogs) in the isolated wetlands at Ichauway. Common species include the eastern tiger salamander (Fig. 6) and ornate chorus frog (Fig. 7). We have found that even the smallest isolated wetlands are highly productive. For example, we counted more than 50,000 juvenile eastern spadefoot toads
Volume 32, Number 2 Page 3 emerging from a wetland less than 0.5 acres in size. Collectively these juvenile frogs weighed more than 70 lbs as potential prey leaving the wetland for the terrestrial environment. Our research on isolated wetlands at Ichauway has also revealed that our most isolated isolated wetlands, i.e., those farthest from other wetlands, have the greatest numbers of amphibian species. We believe this is because the most isolated wetlands are least likely to have fish and probably offer the only breeding habitat around. We have also learned that American alligators use isolated wetlands as nesting habitat in this part of their range, likely because of the abundant prey base for juvenile alligators (that includes larval and adult amphibians). Our ongoing work includes an examination of genetic diversity of amphibians in isolated wetlands and the impacts of large-scale agriculture on isolated wetland amphibians. Fig.5 Gopher Frog Fig.6 Tiger Salamander (photo by Amanda Subalusky) Fig.7 Ornate Chorus Frog-3 color phases (photo by Gabe Miller) Dr. Lora L. Smith s research program is centered on the ecology of amphibians and reptiles of the Southeastern Coastal Plain, and in particular on herpetofaunal linkages between aquatic and terrestrial systems and keystone species in these systems. She is also investigating the interactions between natural and human disturbance legacies in longleaf pine forests and herpetofaunal communities. Aspects of her research program are incorporated into field courses for university students and regional science teachers. Photo by John Jensen
Page 4 MEETING ANNOUNCEMENTS Don t miss The 34th Annual Gopher Tortoise Council Meeting Please join us October 4-6, 2012, at the Kirbo Center at Bainbridge College in Bainbridge, Georgia Preliminary Agenda: Thursday, October 4th: GTC Business Meeting (Evening-TBA) Friday, October 5th Morning: Keynote Address: Whit Gibbons Special Session focused on Upland Snake Research and Conservation Afternoon: Session focused on Commensals and Habitat Conservation/Restoration Working Group Break-out Sessions Saturday, October 6th Morning/Afternoon: Sessions focused on Gopher Tortoise Ecology, Research, and Management REGISTRATION DEADLINE: September 21, 2012-please see updates on the website at http://www.gophertortoisecouncil.org ABSTRACT SUBMISSION DEADLINE: August 25, 2012 Other Important Announcements- STUDENTS! The Gopher Tortoise Council s Student Travel Award was established in 2010 through the generosity of Dr. Tom Kaplan, founder of The Orianne Society. The award is now funded through GTC membership fees. Student members who present their research findings at the Annual Meeting are eligible for the award. Two $100 awards will be given in 2012. Recipients will be selected randomly from among those who submit applications by August 25, 2012. Notification of final awards will be made by September 14, 2012, and awards will be presented at the meeting. To apply: please indicate in your abstract submission email that you would like to be considered for the GTC Student Travel Award. Instructions for abstract submission, membership, and meeting details are available on the GTC web site. SILENT AUCTION! We really need your donations to help offset the cost of the meeting. Please bring silent auction items with you to the meeting. Thanks everyone! Learn more about the Gopher Tortoise and the Gopher Tortoise Council at www.gophertortoisecouncil.org Also like us on Facebook and get Tortoise News and Council Updates.
Volume 32, Number 2 Page 5 MEETING ANNOUNCEMENTS This year s T-shirt design Check it out! (design by James Linehan) For a donation of $20 you can PRE-ORDER T-SHIRTS. A limited number will be available at the meeting. Go to the GTC website at www. gophertortoisecouncil.org. Scroll down page to get to registration, membership and T-shirt options. To order multiple shirts, select size and add individual shirts to cart separately. Announcement: Gopher Tortoise Health Working Group This year, at the 34 th Annual Gopher Tortoise Council meeting, we will convene a gopher tortoise health working group. We would like to invite anyone interested to attend this special meeting! Preliminary Objectives Database Creation: Establish a Morbidity/Mortality Database to which people report gopher tortoise observations. Establish a serology database to aid in range-wide disease mapping. Ante mortem health assessment and postmortem data bases. *Purpose will be to track trends and map occurrence to keep biologists/ land managers aware (important with employee turn-over and loss of institutional memory) Develop a response plan for tortoise mortality (i.e. Who can do what at their lab?) Identify facilities/ researchers willing to perform necropsies and diagnostics. *Contact and update list provided in Wendland et al. 2009. Develop/ distribute consistent protocols for sample collection * collaborate with pathologists to send samples to (necropsy costs?) Education about pathogens (partner with SEPARC Disease Task Team with their current efforts) Help develop plans for tortoise relocation (e.g. what to do with Mycoplasma positive tortoises and other disease issues, waif tortoises) RSVP to Jessica McGuire @ jgonynor@gmail.com
Page 6 EDUCATION ANNOUNCEMENTS The Gopher Tortoise Council s Donna J. Heinrich Environmental Education Grant The GTC Environmental Education Grant was established to support educators and organizations committed to developing educational projects about the gopher tortoise and the fascinating world in which it lives. The grant also honors Donna June Heinrich, an environmental educator, whose life was dedicated to conserving wildlife and their associated habitats. Deadline for 2012 applications is August 31st. Applications may be downloaded from our web site (www.gophertortoisecouncil.org/grants.php). On the left hand side of the page click Grants Program and scroll down after the grants page loads. Applications which contain the following will be given preference: Projects that reach diverse and new audiences. Projects that focus on the importance of the conservation of intact upland ecosystems. Projects that encourage community involvement. Projects that have matching funds. Please follow the instructions on the grants program page noting the requirements. For questions contact Laura Jewell at: wewerka@embarqmail.com The J. Larry Landers Student Research Award The J. Larry Landers Student Research Award is a Gopher Tortoise Council competitive grant program for undergraduate and graduate college students. Proposals can address research concerning gopher tortoise biology or any other relevant aspect of upland habitat conservation and management. The amount of the award is variable, but has averaged $1,000 over the last few years. The proposal should be limited to four pages in length and should include a description of the project, a concise budget, and a brief resume of the student. This is an excellent opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students to access funding for their projects. The deadline for grant proposals each year is the 15th of September. Proposals should be submitted electronically in Word to Dr. Bob Herrington at bob.herrington@gsw.edu.
Volume 32, Number 2 Page 7 Student Spotlight-Auburn University graduate student to investigate current health and distribution of Gopher Tortoises in Alabama Jeff Goessling Jeff Goessling, PhD student at Auburn University, will begin his dissertation research collecting data from wild Gopher Tortoise populations in Alabama related to disease, stress, and the current overall health of wild populations in the state. Additionally, Jeff will perform surveys across south Alabama to estimate the current distribution and abundance of Alabama s Gopher Tortoises, with a specific focus on declining populations in lower quality habitats. As Gopher Tortoises have declined across most of their range, Jeff s dissertation will help biologists understand what habitat variables are required to sustain healthy populations. In addition to collecting data from wild tortoises, basic experiments will also be performed to investigate how individual tortoises alter their physiological setpoints as they relate to disease, including how individuals combat or succumb to disease across a range of environmental conditions. Jeff has always had an inherent interest in research directed towards the conservation of reptiles and amphibians. Once finished with his PhD, he would like to continue his career researching the conservation of non-game species, especially keystone species of reptiles and amphibians. Because the physiology of amphibians and reptiles is so deeply linked to their environment, he sees physiological ecology as the specific focus within which he would like to continue conservation-directed research. To contact Jeff regarding comments or suggestions related to his dissertation research, please email him at goessling@auburn.edu. Jeff received his undergraduate degree in biology from Thomas More College, in Crestview Hills, Kentucky, and his Master s degree in biology from Sam Houston State University, in Huntsville, Texas. For his Master s degree, Jeff studied the endangered Aruba Island rattlesnake as part of a long-term study looking at ecological relationships between endangered rattlesnakes and invasive boas on Aruba. As part of this research, Jeff examined how both the invasive and endemic snake process different food resources and are able to thrive in a harsh desert environment. Wanted: Ticks from tortoises and tortoise burrows! Jessica McGuire is a PhD student at the University of Georgia studying Gopher Tortoise Ticks. She would like your help with a chapter of her dissertation! She is looking for reports of ticks on tortoises. If you have consistently found ticks on tortoises, and you are willing to provide her with the data email her at jgonynor@gmail.com. Photo vouchers are appreciated; ticks shipped in vials would be excellent. Please email her for more information. Photos by Jess McGuire
Newsletter of The Gopher Tortoise Council Directory of 2012 Gopher Tortoise Council Officers, Committee Chairs, and State Representatives Please view the GTC website (below) for contact information Return Address: Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center 3988 Jones Center Drive Newton GA 39870 Co-chairs Ron Concoby Jennifer Howze Secretary Connie Henderson Membership Secretary Will Knox Treasurer Don Stillwaugh Newsletter Editor Cyndi Gates Website Manager Jessica Gonynor McGuire Standing Committee Chairs Nominating Committee Joan Berish Public Information and Education Committee Laura (Wewerka) Jewell Upland Snake Conservation Committee Jayme Waldron and Kimberly Andrews Research Advisory Committee Bob Herrington State Representatives Alabama Mark Bailey Florida Joan Berish Georgia Jessica Gonynor McGuire Louisiana Beau Gregory Mississippi Tom Mann South Carolina Eric Fann http://www.gophertortoisecouncil.org is published in December, April and August. Deadlines for submission of announcements and articles are the 15th of the preceding month. Send materials to the editor: Cyndi Gates cygates@ufl.edu Decisions concerning publication of submitted material rest with the editor and co-chairs. Reprint Policy: Articles, photographs or opinions that appear in The Tortoise Burrow may be reprinted with the written consent of the editor and GTC Co-chairs. The GTC reserves the right to approve editorial changes prior to reprinting and requests that reprints credit The Tortoise Burrow, Newsletter of the Gopher Tortoise Council. Gopher Tortoise Council 2012